NEWS
1 July 2019
Eight operators fined in Sweden for taking bets on events with children
By Matthew Enderby

The fines total SEK 41.2m ($4.4m), with Stars Group and Hillside Sports, which holds a license for Bet365, facing the largest levies: SEK 10m each.

Betfair and ElectraWorks Limited, which holds a license for GVC-owned Bwin, were both warned and issued fines of SEK 5.5m each.

Zecure Gaming and Casinostugan were fined SEK 3.5m; Bethard faces a fine of SEK 2.5m. Polar Limited was the last company named and was issued with a penalty of SEK 700,000.

Gambling companies operating with a Swedish license must not offer wagers on events where the majority of participants are less than 18 years of age.

According to the Gaming Inspectorate’s assessment, providing bets on an event where the participants are predominately children is a direct danger to minors being exposed to the influence of manipulating results.

The operators said they have now taken various measures to ensure future betting takes place according to law, and will not offer wagers on U19 and U21 series.